June 30th, 2016 | Sterling

The Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC) – Does Good, Fast and Inexpensive Exist?

There is a saying regularly used in project management circles: “We offer 3 kinds of services: good, fast, or cheap. But you can only pick two.” The idea is that if any two sides of this project management triangle are emphasized, it is likely to impact the third side.

Where background screening is concerned, Sterling Talent Solutions’ Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC) service balances the triangle. E-PIC delivers a comprehensive review of police information, while providing it in a timely manner at a competitive price. To help explain, I’m going to provide you with a brief overview about Canadian police information in regards to the E-PIC approach.

In Canada, police information can be categorized as being locally or nationally held. The National Repository of Criminal Records is what is interrogated when a traditional criminal record check is conducted. Sterling accomplishes this through a name-based search of the Criminal Name Index by our police partner agencies using the CPIC system. In rare instances, this same information can also be accessed through the submission of fingerprints to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Regarding locally held police information (LPI), it is queried through national systems that the RCMP maintains on behalf of law enforcement. LPI is added to these systems by police services and is done for the primary purpose of law enforcement. As with the Criminal Name Index of CPIC, this type of information is accessible by all police services – including those that work with Sterling Talent Solutions. E-PIC is a query of both the national and local police information.

What are the benefits of selecting E-PIC over a standard Criminal Record Check? After all, it is faster and typically cheaper, to conduct a criminal record search of just the National Repository. But, is it enough? What are the other types of information found at the LPI level that make opting for E-PIC the wise choice? Here’s a partial list:

• Convictions that cannot be lawfully sent to the National Repository
• Convictions that police services have not sent to the National Repository
• Convictions that have been sent to the National Repository but are not yet available due to delays in uploading the information
• Charges that are pending and any associated bail conditions
• Arrest warrants that have been issued by the courts
• Terms of prohibition in effect that a court imposed as a result of a conviction
• Prohibition orders issued by a court as a result of a conviction (usually pertaining to driving, firearms offences)

The information that E-PIC discovers actually comprises a longer list, however the preceding points cover information that is subject to public record. This means that any person can go to the applicable court registry (if they know which one) and obtain these records about any individual.

Police services in Canada are not compelled to put their local information on any of the national systems; a point worthy of examination when discussing E-PIC or any type of check involving police information. As a former Director General of the Canadian Police Information Centre – the National Police Service responsible for providing these national systems – I can attest that police participation with respect to providing information to one or more of the systems we review is comprehensive – and here’s why: People are transient.

They live, work and play in various jurisdictions throughout their lives. Criminals in particular operate in a transient manner in their effort to evade detection. This is a policing reality that is not new. Canadian police examined the issue in the 1960’s with respect to the activities of organized crime. The response to the challenge then was the implementation of the CPIC system in 1972. Since that time, additional platforms for information sharing have been added to the tools that police have at their disposal. Police in Canada recognize the importance of sharing information in order to be effective at their mandate of public safety and law enforcement.

Police information that may be relevant to background screening has already met the threshold for law enforcement purposes and is therefore shared. If the only means by which information relevant to background screening could be accessed required placing the applicant in a line at a police front counter, then it would be reasonable to conclude that information sharing by law enforcement in Canada is not prevalent. This is not the case. Since people are transient, neither purpose – law enforcement or background screening – is served by information existing in silos. Police services recognize this.

So, how does Sterling’s Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC) balance the triangle?

• It’s Good – A comprehensive search is queried, including all available police information (properly reviewed by knowledgeable police professionals), ensuring standardized results compliant with privacy and human rights. Backed by Electronic Identity Verification and a convenient Physical Identity Verification options, E-PIC provides an unparalleled applicant experience.
• It’s Fast – Our standard E-PIC service provides a one business day turnaround time with technology that enables clients to monitor the progress of the file with result notifications. Additionally, there is a rush option providing a four-hour turnaround time.
• It’s Affordable – Our team works to ensure the best available pricing. This service covers the full range of Canadian police information – both National and Local – and it reviewed by experts, while being vetted for compliance all within a one business day turnaround time.

Let us help you to bolster your due diligence by using E-PIC. Gain insight from both local and national information, reviewed competently by police professionals, with secure results provided in a timely manner.

Next month, I will be discussing the importance of sound applicant identification processes.

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This publication is for informational purposes only and nothing contained in it should be construed as legal advice. We expressly disclaim any warranty or responsibility for damages arising out this information. We encourage you to consult with legal counsel regarding your specific needs. We do not undertake any duty to update previously posted materials.